Santa Maria of Scala Hospital Museum, Siena (must see)
Santa Maria of Scala was one of Europe's first hospitals. Today a museum, it was once an important civic hospital dedicated to caring for abandoned children, the poor, the sick, and pilgrims. Most of its operating budget was from bequests and donations from the wealthy citizens of Siena. The head of the hospital was the rector who managed the lay brothers responsible for its operation.
According to local legend, it was founded by a shoemaker on the land donated by him and later managed by Siena Cathedral. In the 15th century, the city of Siena took over its management. The old hospital building had interiors covered with frescoes by Sienese masters of which only a few remain today. The windows are covered with the oldest Italian manufactured stained glass dating back to 1288. The museum is the third largest repository of art and sculpture in Siena.
The rooms in the basement house the National Archeological Museum with objects from excavations around Siena. The main ward room that once contained beds for patients has walls covered with frescoes depicting the history of the hospital. There is also an impressive collection of works by Sienese artists in the other rooms. The museum also holds themed temporary exhibitions from time to time.
According to local legend, it was founded by a shoemaker on the land donated by him and later managed by Siena Cathedral. In the 15th century, the city of Siena took over its management. The old hospital building had interiors covered with frescoes by Sienese masters of which only a few remain today. The windows are covered with the oldest Italian manufactured stained glass dating back to 1288. The museum is the third largest repository of art and sculpture in Siena.
The rooms in the basement house the National Archeological Museum with objects from excavations around Siena. The main ward room that once contained beds for patients has walls covered with frescoes depicting the history of the hospital. There is also an impressive collection of works by Sienese artists in the other rooms. The museum also holds themed temporary exhibitions from time to time.
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Santa Maria of Scala Hospital Museum on Map
Sight Name: Santa Maria of Scala Hospital Museum
Sight Location: Siena, Italy (See walking tours in Siena)
Sight Type: Museum/Gallery
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Sight Location: Siena, Italy (See walking tours in Siena)
Sight Type: Museum/Gallery
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Walking Tours in Siena, Italy
Create Your Own Walk in Siena
Creating your own self-guided walk in Siena is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.
Siena's Palaces Walking Tour
A leisurely stroll through downtown Siena 鈥� a designated UNESCO World Heritage Site, full of imperious castles, palaces and other historic buildings 鈥� promises an exciting day of discovery and a pleasant experience for architecture buffs.
While most Italian cities have a church on their main square, Siena's famous Piazza Del Campo gathers around the city hall, known as Palazzo Pubblico... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 0.7 Km or 0.4 Miles
While most Italian cities have a church on their main square, Siena's famous Piazza Del Campo gathers around the city hall, known as Palazzo Pubblico... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 0.7 Km or 0.4 Miles
Medieval Siena Walking Tour
Siena is a beautiful medieval city whose Gothic-era identity, acquired between the 12th and 15th centuries, has been successfully preserved due to the centuries of political and economic irrelevance in the shadow of its grander neighbor Florence. Today's Siena is a cultural gold mine and ideal place to revel in medieval Italy.
No tour of Siena is complete without visiting its heart, the... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.5 Km or 2.2 Miles
No tour of Siena is complete without visiting its heart, the... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.5 Km or 2.2 Miles
Siena Old Town Walking Tour
Siena was originally settled by Etruscans of Italy and later settled by Romans, who emulated Etruscan culture and named the city Sena Julia. The Lombard Kings then developed the city. By the 12th century, Siena was self-governing.
Siena established the Council of Nine in 1270. This Council was responsible for a flourishing economy, a focus on art, and a building boom. In 1348, Siena was... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.1 Km or 0.7 Miles
Siena established the Council of Nine in 1270. This Council was responsible for a flourishing economy, a focus on art, and a building boom. In 1348, Siena was... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.1 Km or 0.7 Miles